Valve system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a valve system ( 1 ) with at least one valve body ( 2 ) and a longitudinal slide ( 3 ) slidably disposed therein which establishes or disrupts a connection between a feed line ( 4 ) and at least one inlet ( 5, 6 ) or outlet ( 7, 8 ) in the valve body ( 2 ). The valve system further comprises an electrochemically driven actuator ( 9 ) that displaces the longitudinal slide. The aim of the invention is to improve the valve system by simplifying the design of the valve body and the longitudinal slide and to provide a secure and reproducible connection between the inlet/outlet and the feed line in order to feed a corresponding actuating device with a hydraulic fluid. To this end, the longitudinal slide ( 3 ) has a longitudinal bore ( 10 ) connected to the feed line ( 4 ), which can be linked with the inlet ( 5, 6 ) or outlet ( 7, 8 ) via at least one connecting line ( 11, 12 ) that substantially extends radially outward from the longitudinal bore by displacing the longitudinal slide ( 3 ) by means of the actuator ( 9 ).

[0001] The invention pertains to a valve arrangement with at least one valve body and a valve element movably mounted in it, which establishes or interrupts a connection between a supply line and at least one intake or outlet in the valve body, and with an electrochemically operated actuator to move the valve element.

[0002] Such valve arrangements are known internally for example for applications in oil or natural gas extraction or similar purposes. Through the valve body and a valve element that is mounted movably in it, a supply line is connected to an intake or outlet for a hydraulic fluid, depending on the position of the valve element. Via the supply line an activating unit is supplied with hydraulic fluid; this activating unit is utilized for example to adjust a throttle, to operate a so-called blowout preventer, to activate a valve or the like.

[0003] In order to be able to activate and control the valve body and valve element of the valve arrangement precisely and reproducibly, it has already been proposed that an electrical activation be implemented instead of pneumatic or hydraulic activation. Such electrical activation is accomplished for example by means of electromagnets or the like. However, such electromagnets often lead to considerable heat buildup, are quite heavy, and require some effort to control. For that reason it has been proposed that the valve element be moved by an electrochemically operated actuator.

[0004] In such an electrochemically operated actuator, a gas, particularly hydrogen, is generated by an electrical charge in an expandable body. That causes a positive pressure do develop in the body, which leads to its expansion and accordingly to movement of the valve element. To reverse the movement of the valve element and accordingly the expansion of the body of the actuator, the actuator is discharged, preferably through a resistor. That consumes the hydrogen inside the actuator, and the pressure decreases.

[0005] Such an electrochemically operated actuator is quite small, light and reliable. In addition, such an electrically operated actuator can be positioned with quite high precision in relation to the valve element and requires no energy to hold the valve element in a certain position.

[0006] The invention is based on the task of improving such an internally known valve arrangement of the type named at the beginning in such a way that the construction of the valve body and valve element is simplified, and a connection between intake/outlet and connecting line to supply a corresponding activating unit with hydraulic fluid can be established reliably, safely and reproducibly.

[0007] This task is solved in conjunction with the characteristics of the main concept of claim 1 by the fact that the valve element has a longitudinal bore which is connected with the supply line, and which can be connected to the intake or outlet through at least one connecting line which extends radially outward from the longitudinal bore, by shifting the valve element by means of the actuator.

[0008] In this way the connection between the supply line and the intake/outlet is made only through the longitudinal bore in the valve element and a connecting line which branches off from it. The fluid connection between the longitudinal bore and the supply line remains intact independent of the position of the valve element relative to the valve body, and accordingly the connecting line is connected with an intake or outlet to supply or carry off hydraulic fluid only by shifting the valve element by means of the actuator.

[0009] In order to obtain a compact design for the valve arrangement, the connecting end of the valve element can be connected with the actuator, and the longitudinal bore can end in its entry end, which is opposite its connecting end.

[0010] Because of the compact design, and especially also because of the use of the electochemical actuator, a number of valves can be placed in a very tight space, so that the valve arrangement can have a number of valve bodies with valve elements and associated actuators arranged in a valve block to supply activating units with hydraulic fluid.

[0011] In order to place such a valve in the valve block in a simple way, at least the valve body and valve element can be removably placed in a valve receiving recess in the valve block.

[0012] Because the electrochemical actuator is relatively insensitive, and in order to supply it with electricity more simply, a housing to accommodate the actuator can protrude from the valve block.

[0013] In order to also be able to service or even replace the electrochemical actuator simply, the housing can be closed on its side facing the valve block by a housing cover which is removably attached to the valve block, with the valve element passing through the cover into the interior of the housing. This leads to the possibility of opening the housing to gain access to the electrochemical actuator without detaching the housing cover from the valve block.

[0014] In order to determine the arrangement both of the valve body and valve element and of the housing relative to the valve block by means of the housing cover, the housing cover can have a peripheral shoulder for placement against a rim of the valve receiving recess on an outer surface of the valve block.

[0015] In order to be able to set up appropriate valves of the valve arrangement more easily and to be able to make optimal use of the linear displacement by the electrochemical actuator, the supply line can lead into the valve receiving recess opposite the housing cover. In this way the valve element is moved directly through the actuator and through the housing cover in the direction of the supply line. At the same time the fluid connection between the longitudinal bore of the valve element and the supply line always remains intact.

[0016] The valve block is designed in such a way that corresponding intake and outlet canals for supplying each valve with fluid are formed directly in it. To seal these canals securely against the external surroundings of the valve block while at the same time establishing a connection to the supply line in a simple manner, intake and outlet canals can lead into the valve receiving recess laterally between the supply line and the housing cover.

[0017] As a rule, the valve body is constructed of multiple parts. To obtain a valve body of the simplest possible design, it can have a central body which is detachably connected to the housing cover, in which body there is a mounting hole which connects the housing cover and supply line, to receive the valve element. In this case the mounting hole extends between the housing cover and the connecting line in accordance with the extension of the valve element.

[0018] A simple option for forming outlets and/or intakes with the corresponding valve body can consist in having the outlet and/or intake formed directly in the central body and/or between it and the housing cover.

[0019] Improved supplying with and draining of hydraulic fluid can be achieved for example by forming the outlet and/or intake always in pairs opposite each other in the valve body.

[0020] Supplying hydraulic fluid and removing it can be improved still further by providing two corresponding pairs of outlets and/or intakes in the valve body. These outlets or intakes, then totaling four, are arranged for example at right angles to each other around the valve element, with the valve element having a sufficient number of connecting lines.

[0021] To easily simplify the connection between the central body and the housing cover on the one hand as well as the arrangement of the outlet or the intake, the central body can have a ring flange facing in the direction of the housing cover, with passage holes drilled in it to the outlet canal and in the direction of the connecting line. These passage holes form at least a part of the intake or outlet.

[0022] In order to be able to remove hydraulic fluid uniformly through all of the outlet canals, there can be a ring canal located between the passage holes and the outlet canals.

[0023] In this connection it is also advantageous to have an additional ring canal also located between the passage holes and the connecting lines. That also evens out the distribution of hydraulic fluid to all two or four outlets and corresponding outlet canals.

[0024] To enable throttled infeed of hydraulic fluid under pressure in the valve body to the supply line in a simple way, the central body can have insertion holes which connect the intakes and the valve element, with at least one intake throttle element inserted into them.

[0025] In order to be able to vary the design of the intake throttle element according to need, the latter can have a throttle component with a throttling port and a fixing element that holds the throttle component in the insertion hole.

[0026] A simply constructed and reliably functioning fixing element can have for example a stacking element with a roughly bell-shaped cross section, and a retainer ring which holds the latter in the insertion hole.

[0027] To guarantee that hydraulic fluid can only be supplied through the throttling port of the longitudinal bore of the valve element, there can be a sealing element between the stacking element and the throttle component.

[0028] In order additionally to be able to also place the central body and the housing cover tightly in the valve receiving recess of the valve block, there can be sealing elements along a periphery of the central body between the intakes and outlets and between the intakes and supply line, as well as between the housing cover and the receiving recess.

[0029] In order to be able to construct the throttle element more simply, especially in the case of four intakes, the throttle element can be of essentially ring-shaped design and can go around the valve element. At the same time there are appropriate throttling ports at the corresponding locations on the throttle element pointing to the intake canals, to connect the intake canals with the connecting lines in the valve element.

[0030] In order to properly equalize the supply over all four intake canals, the throttling ports can be connected through a ring canal which points to the valve element and encircles it.

[0031] An easily produced exemplary implementation of a ring canal can consist in having it designed as a funnel-like converging depression in the throttle component, both in its cross section and in the direction of the throttling port.

[0032] In order to be able to shut off the valve body in the direction of the supply line and at the same time to achieve a flat-surface contact on a floor of the valve receiving depression, there can be an end plate removably attached to the side surface of the central body, which has approximately in its center a central hole in which the input end of the valve element is mounted so that it can slide.

[0033] In order to be able to define a position of the valve element in this connection, especially to supply the supply line with fluid, one edge of the central bore can form a stop for the valve element in its fluid supplying position. In this position the valve element is shifted as far as possible in the direction of the supply line by the electrochemical actuator. The other fluid draining position can be defined for example by having the valve element in contact with a corresponding contact surface in the housing cover.

[0034] To further seal the valve body in the valve receiving recess and to position a corresponding sealing element in a simple way, the end plate can have a chamfered edge, with a sealing element placed between it and a running edge of the receiving recess.

[0035] As a rule the electrochemical actuator is cylindrical in shape, with a push-out element at one of its ends that is connected to the cylindrical housing by means of a bellows connection. In order to be able to attach the valve element to the actuator in a simple manner, at the connecting end of the valve element there can be a holding plate that lies perpendicular to it, which is detachably connected to the push-out element of the actuator.

[0036] The following section describes in greater detail an advantageous exemplary implementation of the invention on the basis of the figures included in the drawing.

[0037] The depiction is as follows:

[0038]FIG. 1 a longitudinal sectional view though an exemplary implementation of a valve arrangement, with a valve and corresponding electrochemical actuator.

[0039]FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view through an exemplary implementation of a valve arrangement (1) in accordance with the invention, with a valve body 2 and a valve element 3 in a valve receiving recess 16 of a valve block 15.

[0040] The valve block 15 has a number of additional valve receiving recesses 16 (not shown), in which corresponding valve bodies 2 and valve elements 3 are also placed. Likewise there is an electrochemical actuator 9 connected with each of the valve elements 3 of the valve arrangement 1.

[0041] The electrochemical actuator 9 has a gas generator 62, which produces a gas, and in particular hydrogen, when an electric charge is introduced via corresponding supply lines. The generated gas creates a positive pressure in the interior of the gas generator 62, and a push-out element 58 of the actuator can be advanced in the direction of the valve block 50 by this positive pressure. The push-out element (58) is connected with the gas generator 62 through a bellows element 61.

[0042] At the end of the push-out element 58 that faces away from the gas generator 72, the push-out element is removably attached to a holding plate 57. The valve element 3 stands off from the middle of the holding plate 57 and is removably attached to it.

[0043] The electrochemical actuator 9 is contained in an essentially cylindrical housing 17. On its side 18 that faces toward the valve block 15 this housing is closed with a housing cover 19. Between the housing 17 and the housing cover 19 is a sealing element 63.

[0044] The housing cover 19 projects into the valve receiving recess 16. The position of the housing cover 19 is defined by contact of a shoulder 21 of the housing cover 19 which projects radially outward with an edge 22 of the valve receiving recess 16. The edge 22 forms part of an outer surface 23 of the valve block 15.

[0045] The valve element 3 is mounted in the housing cover 19 so that it can slide. A connecting end 13 of the valve element 3 projects into the interior 20 of the housing 17 and is attached there to the holding plate 57. From its connecting end 13 the valve element 3 extends to its entry end 14, which is connected to the supply line 4 in a floor of the valve receiving recess 16.

[0046] In FIG. 1 the valve element 3 is positioned in its outlet position, in which the supply line 4 is connected through a longitudinal bore 10 in the interior of the valve element 3 and through connecting lines 11, 12 to outlet canals 26, 27 in the valve block 15. The longitudinal bore 10 ends in the entry end 14, and is accordingly open in the direction of the supply line 4. The longitudinal bore 10 extends in the valve element 3 into the housing cover 19. The connecting lines 11, 12 extend radially outward from the longitudinal bore 10 through the body of the valve element 3 and end in a ring canal 34 that surrounds the valve element 3. The ring canal 34 is connected to the intake canals 26, 27 through intakes 5, 6.

[0047] The intakes 5, 6 are formed between the housing cover 19 and a central body 28 of the valve body 2, as well as by passage holes 31, 32 in the central body. The passage holes 31, 32 are formed in a ring flange 30 of the central body 28, which ring flange stands off from the central body in the direction of the housing cover. Between the passage holes 31, 32 and the outlet canals 26, 27 there is an additional ring canal 33.

[0048] In the sectional view in accordance with FIG. 1 the central body 28 has an approximately X-shaped form. Approximately in the middle of the central body are insertion holes 35, 36, into which an intake throttle element 37 is inserted. The intake throttle element 37 is made up of a throttle component 38 with throttling port 39 and a fixing bag 40. The throttle component 38 can be designed as a ring-shaped part that has corresponding throttling ports 39 at appropriate positions facing the intake canals 24, 25. The fixing component 40 encloses a stacking element 41 and a retaining ring 42. The stacking element is approximately bell-shaped in cross section and overlaps an upper end of the throttle component 38 from above. The retaining ring 42 is inserted into corresponding grooves in the central body 28 at the upper end of the stacking element 41.

[0049] Between the stacking element 41 and the throttle component 38 there is a sealing element 43.

[0050] It should be noted that in the valve arrangement in accordance with the invention a total of four intake canals or outlet canals can be connected to the longitudinal bore 10 in the valve element 3 via corresponding intakes and outlets and via a corresponding number of connecting lines 11, 12. In FIG. 1 at least one third connecting line 59 and one third insertion hole 60 are shown. Opposite these are the respective fourth connecting line and insertion hole.

[0051] Between the throttling port 39 and the valve element 3 there is an additional ring canal 46. This is formed by a depression that runs in a funnel shape in the direction of the throttling port 39.

[0052] To seal the housing cover 19 and the central body 28 in the valve receiving recess 60, additional sealing elements 64 and 44, 45 are provided. In this connection the sealing elements 44, 45 also serve to separate the intakes 5, 6 from the outlets 7, 8 and to separate the intakes 5, 6 d from the supply line 4.

[0053] At this point it should be mentioned that in the case of a ring-shaped intake throttle element 37 which completely surrounds the valve element 3, the central body 28 is in two parts, with one half of the central body 28 positioned in FIG. 1 to the left of the intake throttle element 37 and the other half in FIG. 1 to the right of the intake throttle element 37.

[0054] On a side surface 48 of the central body 28 that faces the floor of the valve receiving recess 16 or the supply line 4, the central body is removably attached to the end plate 49. The latter has a smooth end surface that faces the floor of the valve receiving recess 16, and is in contact with a floor surface of the valve receiving recess 16 that is also smooth. Approximately in the middle of the end plate 49 is a central bore 50 in which the entry end 14 of the valve element 3 is mounted so that it can slide. On the side of the end plate 49 that faces toward the central body 28, the central bore 50 is surrounded by an edge 51 that forms a stop 52 for the valve element 3. A fluid supply position 53 of the valve element 3 is defined by this stop 52; see the hatched representation in FIG. 1. In this fluid supply position 53 the valve element 3 is moved as far as possible in the direction of the supply line 4 by the electrochemical actuator 19, and its entry end 14 partially meshes with the supply line 4.

[0055] The end plate 49 has an obliquely running outer edge 54; a sealing element 56 is positioned and held between this edge and a running edge 55 of the valve receiving recess 60.

[0056] In the following section the functioning of the valve arrangement 1 in accordance with the invention is briefly described on the basis of the figure.

[0057] In FIG. 1 an activating unit, which is not shown, is connected to the supply line 4. Through the latter particularly a hydraulic fluid can be supplied to or removed from the activating unit.

[0058] In the position of the valve element 3 shown in FIG. 1, a connection exists between the supply line 4 and outlet canals 26, 27 in the valve block 15. As a result, hydraulic fluid can drain from the activating unit.

[0059] The connection is made from the supply line 4 via the longitudinal bore 10 of the valve element 3 and the connecting lines 11, 12 that run radially outward. From these there is the further connection via the ring canal 34 and the outlets 7, 8. The outlets 7, 8 are formed partly between the housing cover 19 and the central body 28, and partly by passage holes 31, 32 in the central body 28. Between the outlet canals 26, 27 and the passage holes 31, 32 is an additional ring canal 33.

[0060] Applying an electrical charge to the electrochemical actuator 9 causes hydrogen to be generated in the latter. The resulting positive pressure pushes out the push-out element 58 with the holding plate 57 in the direction of the supply line 4. Similarly, the valve element 3 is moved into the fluid supply position 53. In this position a connection is established from the supply line 4 via the longitudinal bore 10 and the connecting lines 11, 12 to the intakes 5, 6 and through them to the intake canals 24, 25. In this fluid supply position 53 the activating unit is supplied with hydraulic fluid.

[0061] It should also be pointed out that there are a number of ball bearings 64 positioned between the valve element 3 and the housing cover 19 and the central body 28 or end plate 49. The stacking element 41 of the fixing bag 40 is also movably mounted relative to the throttle component 38 by means of ball bearings 65. 

1. Valve arrangement (1) with at least one valve body (2) and one valve element (3) which is movably mounted in it, which establishes and interrupts a connection between a supply line (4) and at least one intake (5, 6) or outlet (7, 8) in the valve body (2), and with an electrochemically operated actuator (9) to move the valve element, characterized by the fact that the valve element (3) has a longitudinal bore (10) which is connected with the supply line (4), which bore can be connected to an intake (5, 6) or outlet (7, 8) through at least one connecting line (11, 12), which extends radially outward from the longitudinal bore, by sliding the valve element (3) by means of the actuator (9).
 2. Valve arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized by the fact that the valve body (2) is connected at its connecting end (13) with the actuator (9) and that the longitudinal bore (10) ends in its entry end (14), which is opposite the connecting end.
 3. Valve arrangement in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the valve arrangement (1) has a number of valve bodies (2) with valve elements (3) and connected actuators (9) arranged in a valve block (15) to supply activating units with hydraulic fluid.
 4. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that at least the valve body (2) and valve element (3) are detachably mounted in a valve receiving recess (16) in the valve block (15).
 5. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by th fact that a housing for accommodating the actuator (9) protrudes from the valve block (15).
 6. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the housing (17) is closed on its side (18) which faces the valve block (15) by a housing cover (19) which is removably attached to the valve block (15), through which housing cover the valve element (3) passes into the interior (20) of the housing.
 7. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the housing cover (19) has a peripheral shoulder (21) to contact a rim (22) of the valve receiving recess (16) on an outer surface (23) of the valve block (15).
 8. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the supply line (4) ends in the valve receiving recess (16) opposite the housing cover (19).
 9. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that intake and outlet canals (24, 25; 26, 27) end laterally in the valve receiving recess (16), between the supply line (4) and housing cover (19).
 10. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the valve body (2) has a central body (28) which is removably connected to the housing cover (19), in which central body there is a mounting bore (29) which connects the housing cover and the supply line (4) and which is intended to receive the valve element (3).
 11. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the outlet (7, 8) and/or intake (5, 6) is formed in the central body (28) and/or between it and the housing cover (19).
 12. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the outlet (7, 8) and/or intake (5, 6) are formed in pairs which lie opposite each other in the valve body (2).
 13. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that two pairs each of intakes (5, 6) and outlets (7, 8) are provided in the valve body (2).
 14. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the central body (28) has a ring flange (30) pointing in the direction of the housing cover (19), with open passage holes (31, 32) formed in the direction of the outlet canal (26, 27) and in the direction of the connecting line (11, 12).
 15. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there is a ring canal (33) located between the passage holes (31, 32) and the outlet canals (26, 27).
 16. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there is a ring canal (34) located between the passage holes (31, 32) and the connecting lines (11, 12).
 17. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the central body (28) has at least two insertion holes (35, 36) connecting the intakes (5, 6) and the valve element (3), into which an intake throttle element (37) is inserted.
 18. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by th fact that the intake throttle element (37) has a throttle component (38) with a throttling port (39) and a fixing component (40) that holds the throttle component in the insertion hole (35, 36).
 19. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the fixing component (40) has a stacking element (41) with a cross section which is approximately bell-shaped and a retaining ring (42) which holds the latter in the insertion hole (35, 36).
 20. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there is a sealing element (43) located between the stacking element (41) and the throttle component (38)
 21. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that there are sealing elements (44, 45) along an outer periphery of the central body (28) between the intakes (5, 6) and outlets (7, 8) and between the intakes (5, 6) and the supply line (4).
 22. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the intake throttle element (37) is essentially ring-shaped.
 23. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the throttling ports (39) are connected by a ring canal (46) that points toward and surrounds the valve element (3).
 24. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that in cross section the ring canal (46) is designed as a depression in the throttle component (38) which runs in a funnel shape in the direction of the throttling port (39)
 25. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that on the side surface (48) of the central body (28) which points toward the supply line (4) there is a removably attached end plate (49), which has approximately in its middle a central bore (50) in which the entry end (14) of the valve element (3) is mounted so that it can slide.
 26. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that one edge (51) of the central bore (50) forms a stop (52) for the valve element (3) in its fluid supply position (53).
 27. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the end plate (49) has a chamfered edge 54), with a sealing element (56) placed between it and a running edge (55) of the receiving recess (60).
 28. Valve arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that at the connecting end (13) of the valve element (3) there is a holding plate (57) that extends perpendicular to it, which is detachably connected with a push-out element (58) of the actuator (9). 